Every PDF file carries hidden metadata — the document title, author, creator application, creation and modification dates, page count, and more. The Flipper File PDF Metadata Viewer lets you instantly read all of that information without uploading your file anywhere. Just drop in your PDF and see the full property sheet in seconds.
How to View PDF Metadata
- Drop or select your PDF — Click the upload area or drag your PDF file directly onto it.
- Metadata loads instantly — The tool reads the file's embedded properties and displays them in a clean table: title, author, subject, creator, producer, creation date, modification date, page count, file size, and PDF version.
- Copy any field — Click the copy icon next to any metadata field to copy it to your clipboard.
- Download as JSON (optional) — Use the "Export as JSON" button to save all metadata as a structured
.jsonfile for documentation or automation workflows. - Check another file — Click "Clear" to reset and drop in a new PDF.
Why Use Flipper File to View PDF Metadata?
- Nothing leaves your browser — Your PDF is read locally using the PDF.js library. No file is ever sent to a server.
- See everything in one place — Title, author, subject, keywords, creator app, producer, PDF version, page count, file size, and both creation and modification timestamps.
- One-click copy — Copy any individual field with a single click — useful when you need just the author or just the creation date.
- Export to JSON — Download all metadata as a clean JSON file for audit trails, batch documentation, or developer workflows.
- Works on any PDF — Scanned PDFs, password-free encrypted PDFs, large files — the viewer handles them all without slowing down.
- Completely free — No account, no watermark, no limit on how many PDFs you check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metadata can I see in a PDF file?
PDFs can contain a range of embedded properties including: Document Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator (the application that made the original document), Producer (the PDF engine that converted it), Creation Date, Modification Date, PDF version number, page count, and file size. Not every PDF has all fields filled in — if a field is blank, the tool will show "Not set."
Is my PDF file uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens locally in your browser using the PDF.js library. Your file never leaves your device. This makes the tool safe for sensitive documents like legal contracts, financial reports, or confidential business files.
Can I view metadata on a password-protected PDF?
The metadata viewer can read properties from PDFs that are open without a password. If your PDF requires a password to open, you'll need to unlock it first before the tool can read its metadata.
Why is the Author field blank?
Not all PDFs have author metadata populated. If a document was created by scanning a paper copy, or exported from a tool that doesn't write author data, the field will appear as "Not set." This is normal and doesn't indicate a problem with the file.
What does the "Producer" field mean?
The Producer field identifies the PDF engine or library that converted the file into PDF format — for example, Acrobat Distiller, LibreOffice PDF Export, or a third-party conversion tool. This is different from the Creator, which is the application that created the original source document (e.g., Microsoft Word).
What is the PDF version number?
The PDF version (e.g., 1.4, 1.7, 2.0) tells you which edition of the PDF specification the file was built against. Older versions may lack support for modern features like transparency layers or digital signatures. Most modern tools produce PDF 1.7 or higher.
Can I edit PDF metadata with this tool?
No — this is a read-only viewer. If you need to edit PDF metadata (change the title, author, or keywords), you'll need a full-featured PDF editor. You can use our PDF Editor for common modifications.
Does the tool work on mobile?
Yes. The PDF Metadata Viewer is fully mobile responsive. You can drop or select a PDF on any smartphone or tablet and see the metadata in a clean, readable layout.